Do I have to declare lighters and matches at South Korea customs?

No — within the allowance it passes without a declaration.

What happens if I do not declare lighters and matches in South Korea?

Under 관세법 제81조제1항제1호, if you declare the excess yourself: a flat-rate charge is applied to the excess. Under 관세법 제282조제2항, if the goods are found without being declared: the goods are confiscated. Under 관세법 제241조제5항제1호: the normal duty becomes payable on the excess; an administrative fine is imposed.

Can I post or ship lighters and matches to South Korea instead of carrying it?

Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.

Is there a minimum age for the lighters and matches allowance in South Korea?

Yes — 19 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for lighters and matches at all, not a smaller one.

Can I take lighters and matches out of South Korea?

South Korea publishes no separate rule for taking lighters and matches out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the South Korea limit for lighters and matches apply per person or per family?

Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.

Where does this rule come from?

관세청 (Korea Customs Service) states it in Customs Clearance Guide for Passengers. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “US$800 or less of the total taxable value of goods”

How does South Korea compare with other countries on lighters and matches?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit lighters and matches, 5 limit it and 14 let it through. South Korea is among the more permissive.

How much Lighters and matches can I bring into South Korea?

Allowed

You can bring Lighters and matches into South Korea without a special limit.

Carried Allowed

Declaration Not required

Limit 800 USD

What you need to know

No stated quantity
Value cap: 800 USD
Channels: Carried with the traveler

On the plane

Airline differences

Airline	Difference from the baseline
AJet	Stricter than the standard rule

Important

This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Customs Clearance Guide for Passengers Korea Customs Service

Questions about Lighters and matches in South Korea

How much lighters and matches can I bring into South Korea?: South Korea publishes no quantity limit for lighters and matches carried by a traveller. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
Do I have to declare lighters and matches at South Korea customs?: No — within the allowance it passes without a declaration.
What happens if I do not declare lighters and matches in South Korea?: Under 관세법 제81조제1항제1호, if you declare the excess yourself: a flat-rate charge is applied to the excess. Under 관세법 제282조제2항, if the goods are found without being declared: the goods are confiscated. Under 관세법 제241조제5항제1호: the normal duty becomes payable on the excess; an administrative fine is imposed.
Can I post or ship lighters and matches to South Korea instead of carrying it?: Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.
Is there a minimum age for the lighters and matches allowance in South Korea?: Yes — 19 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for lighters and matches at all, not a smaller one.
Can I take lighters and matches out of South Korea?: South Korea publishes no separate rule for taking lighters and matches out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the South Korea limit for lighters and matches apply per person or per family?: Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.
Where does this rule come from?: 관세청 (Korea Customs Service) states it in Customs Clearance Guide for Passengers. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “US$800 or less of the total taxable value of goods”
How does South Korea compare with other countries on lighters and matches?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit lighters and matches, 5 limit it and 14 let it through. South Korea is among the more permissive.

Related items

Accompanied cash Accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band) Agricultural/forestry/fishery/livestock products (general sub-cap) Alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over)

Related countries

Australia Canada China France

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Cigarettes Cigarillos (cigars weighing not more than 3 g each) Cigars Cigars and other tobacco (by weight) Cuban-origin cigars and other tobacco products Cut/loose tobacco